Charity

Yesterday, Beth Anderson taught the lesson in Relief Society.  The topic was Charity.


The prophet Mormon tells us, "Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever (Moroni 7:46-47).

The Savior showed us that the spiritual and physical needs of our fellowmen are as important as our own.  Before He gave His life for us, He said:

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12-13).

During the 2010 General Relief Society meeting President Monson spoke about charity.  He said:

"Charity manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, charity forgives, charity is patient, charity impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted.  True charity is love in action.  The need for charity is everywhere.

"Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down.  It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily.  It is accepting weakness and shortcomings.  It is accepting people as they truly are.  It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time.  It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.

"Charity is the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love".

If you have not yet read this lesson I encourage you to do so.  It can be found in the Gospel Principles book, pages 173-178.

Next week's lesson is on Honesty, pages 179-183.